History of Vitargo

In the beginning of 1993 the entrepreneur Roger Sandström contacted the RND department at Lyckeby Starch to investigate the possibility to develop a sports drink like no-other for endurance athletes. What could be found on the market were only products with simple sugars which were not good enough for long distance athletes. Their energy reserves soon crashed once the sugar-spike had dropped. Due to the strained ability to digest and rehydrate whilst partaking in physical activity, athletes reported stomach discomfort and bloating.

A general understanding among scientists at that time was that a perfect carbohydrate should deliver a low blood sugar delivery and have a slow uptake. The current GI-models were simply not suitable for hard working athletes. All of a sudden, one had been found.

The team at Lyckeby Starch understood that athletes needed another kind of carbohydrate which did not cause stomach discomfort but could also deliver a rapid uptake. This new requirement of carbohydrate was not fully understood by other scientists who were only familiar with glucose, which passes the small intestine. The way this new carbohydrate had been sourced, it simply was not possible..

To be able to meet the skepticism from scientists and to present facts of the product´s superiority, discussions with Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden were initiated 1994. A preliminary report was presented in 1996 which showed a significant difference between Vitargo and all other carbohydrates. The research resulted in a highly regarded published study in 2000 which proved that Vitargo replenished glycogen levels in muscles 70 % faster than other sports drink carbohydrates. A second study was published later the same year which showed that Vitargo left the stomach even quicker at 80 % faster.

A patent application was filed early 1994.

Agreements with various distributors in Germany, USA and Sweden were signed 1997.

Lyckeby Starch started to negotiate early 2001 with the Swedish company Swecarb AB for a sale of the patent and brand name of Vitargo, which resulted in a takeover per September 1st 2001.